LA Streetsblog reports that Move LA's Denny Zane and Transform's Ryan Wiggins were among those at the California Air Resources Board hearing on Wednesday who testified that revenues from the state's Cap and Trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should fund transit and active transportation. "We need investment in transit, especially transit operating budgets, and active transportation infrastructure to support the GHG emission reduction goals of SB 375," said Denny. "Federal and state transportation funding has been stagnant and even declining for years." SB 375 is the state law that mandates a reduction in GHG emissions using transportation and land use strategies.

Ryan expressed concerns that some are arguing that the money should go toward improving road conditions and widening freeways — to reduce congestion, which also reduces emissions in the short term.

The fledgling Cap and Trade program sets limits on carbon dioxide emissions for virtually all sectors of the state's economy, which is the 9th largest in the world. Emissions allowances are allotted to polluters, and companies whose emissions exceed their allocations must either obtain extra allowances or buy credits from other projects that cut GHG emissions. The program debuted late last year.